Liberia: Monrovia City Corporation Fires Nine Employees for Allegedly Insulting President Boakai, Other Government Officials

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-[email protected]

Monrovia – In what appears to be a rare crackdown on free speech, the Monrovia City Corporation             (MCC) has begun dismissing nine employees following allegations by Civil Service Agency (CSA) Director General Josiah Joekai that they frequently used social media to criticize government officials, particularly President Joseph Boakai.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICAT) on Tuesday, Joekai urged the MCC to terminate the nine employees for what he described as a “deadly social media campaign” targeting senior public officials, especially President Boakai.

While Joekai did not disclose the names of the employees, he stressed that their actions had tarnished the MCC’s reputation.

“The Civil Service Agency (CSA) requests the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) to immediately relieve nine employees who have consistently engaged in dangerous and destructive social media campaigns against public officials, particularly targeting the President of Liberia,” Joekai stated.

He added, “These actions have caused significant harm to the reputation and image of the MCC. The negative portrayal of government officials by these unscrupulous employees has far-reaching effects on the individuals concerned and the government as a whole. Such unacceptable and sustained behavior on social media is incompatible with the status of the employees in question. Therefore, the MCC must consider terminating their services and promptly notify the CSA of this action.”

By the end of the day, dismissal letters were sent to the nine MCC employees. FPA has seen copies of three letters.

A prompt investigation by FrontPage Africa revealed that the nine individuals are supporters of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and were employed during the tenure of former Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Koijee.

Among those dismissed were Public Relations Officer Alpha G. Gray, Revenue Agent Boye Kokoi, and Procurement Assistant Richard Singbeh, all of whom are reported to be CDC partisans.

The dismissal of these MCC employees may signal a broader clampdown on free speech, raising concerns about potential contradictions with the Unity Party’s campaign promises during the 2023 Presidential election.